7 Days in Yellowstone: A Wyoming Road Trip Itinerary

This 7 day itinerary explores Yellowstone National Park by 4x4 SUV, mixing moderate hikes, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives. The route begins with a long drive west from the Gretna area of Nebraska to West Yellowstone, then bases at Madison Campground to explore Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, and Mystic Falls. From there the trip heads north to Mammoth Hot Springs and Bunsen Peak before overnighting in Gardiner, Montana. The middle days focus on wildlife safaris through Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at Artist Point, and the thermal features of West Thumb Geyser Basin along Yellowstone Lake, with two nights at Canyon Village Campground. The trip continues south past Yellowstone Lake to Flagg Ranch Campground near the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, and closes with a scenic loop through Grand Teton National Park visiting Oxbow Bend, Signal Mountain, Jenny Lake, Mormon Row, and the town of Jackson before returning to Flagg Ranch for the final night.

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Days
7
Stops
54
Driving
1,208 mi
On foot
53.9 mi
Overnights
4
Level
moderate

Published by Xploreum · August 2026

ARE YOU XPLORER MATERIAL?

The average Xplorer every year...

  • Sleeps outside 24 nights

  • Explores 1,800 miles

  • Covers 500 miles on foot, skis, bikes, boats and trails

  • Experiences a 120°F temperature difference

  • Discovers 18 new places

  • Does something for the first time 18 times

  • Sees the Milky Way 11 nights

  • Takes 6 people on their first adventure

  • Spends 240 hours away from notifications

  • Creates stories remembered for decades

The shape of it

How the route moves

7 days and 54 stops, covering 1,208 mi of driving, 53.9 mi on foot. Every distance comes from the route records behind this Xpedition.

Route overview map for 7 Days in Yellowstone: A Wyoming Road Trip Itinerary: 54 stops from Gretna area, Nebraska to Flagg Ranch Campground.

Route overview, not navigation

Start: Gretna area, NebraskaEnd: Flagg Ranch Campground54 numbered stops, in itinerary order© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Stops are shown at place level. Each leg is coloured by the travel mode we infer from the stops at either end, then drawn along that network: blue for driving and magenta for walking. The mode is our inference, not a confirmed record of how the route was travelled. A grey dashed leg is one we could not route, shown as a straight overview instead. This is an overview of the route, not a turn-by-turn track, and it is not suitable for navigation.

The itinerary

Day by day

All 54 stops, free to read. Every day is editable once the route is yours.

Travertine terraces and steaming pools at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Benjamin Klaver on Unsplash

Day 1

The Long Road West

  • 813 mi drive
  • Night: Madison Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

The trip begins with departure from the Gretna area of Nebraska, heading west on the interstate toward Yellowstone. This is a long driving day of roughly 800 miles, ending at the gateway town of West Yellowstone, where you can pick up park information, maps, and any last supplies before entering the park. From there it is a short 14 mile drive to Madison Campground, set along the Madison River, which serves as home base for exploring the western geyser basins. The campground offers 278 sites with flush toilets and potable water.

  1. Gretna area, NebraskaDrive

    Departure from the Gretna area in Nebraska. Load up the SUV and head west on I-80.

  2. +800 mi along the route

    West Yellowstone areaDrive

    Gateway town to Yellowstone's west entrance. Stop for park information, maps, and final supplies.

  3. +13.7 mi along the route

    Madison Campgroundlodge

    Yellowstone campground along the Madison River. 278 sites with flush toilets and potable water. Base camp for exploring the western geyser basins.

Black bear moving through a grassy meadow in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Hans Veth on Unsplash

Day 2

Geysers and Rainbows

  • 47.8 mi drive
  • 7 mi on foot
  • Night: Madison Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Start the day with a steep but short 0.8 mile climb to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, gaining about 200 feet in elevation for a sweeping view over the park's most vividly colored thermal pool. From there, drive south to Old Faithful Geyser, where eruptions send water 130 to 180 feet into the air roughly every 60 to 110 minutes. Take time to walk the boardwalks of the Upper Geyser Basin, and grab a meal at a historic lodge restaurant nearby known for hearty American fare and scenic views. In the afternoon, head to the Biscuit Basin Trailhead for the hike to Mystic Falls, a 2.4 mile round trip gaining about 350 feet to reach a 70 foot waterfall cascading over columnar basalt. Return to Madison Campground for the night to relax along the river.

  1. Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook TrailheadDrive

    Trailhead for the overlook hike above Yellowstone's most iconic thermal feature.

  2. +1 mi along the route

    Grand Prismatic Spring OverlookHike

    Steep 0.8-mile climb to elevated viewpoint over the vivid blue and orange pool. 200 feet elevation gain.

  3. +1 mi along the route

    Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead and drive south to Old Faithful.

  4. +6.8 mi along the route

    Old Faithful Geyseractivity

    Watch the world's most famous geyser erupt 130-180 feet high. Eruptions every 60-110 minutes. Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.

  5. +0.3 mi along the route

    Old Faithful area diningmeal

    Dining at a historic lodge restaurant with hearty American fare and scenic views.

  6. +3.4 mi along the route

    Biscuit Basin TrailheadDrive

    Trailhead for Mystic Falls, a beautiful waterfall and thermal area hike.

  7. +2.5 mi along the route

    Mystic FallsHike

    2.4-mile round trip to 70-foot waterfall cascading over columnar basalt. 350 feet elevation gain.

  8. +2.5 mi along the route

    Biscuit Basin TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead and head back to Madison Campground.

  9. +13.7 mi along the route

    Madison Campgroundlodge

    Return to Madison Campground for the night. Cook dinner and relax by the Madison River.

Lower Yellowstone Falls plunging into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Photo by Laura Seaman on Unsplash

Day 3

North to the Terraces

  • 49.6 mi drive
  • 8.5 mi on foot
  • Night: Yellowstone area RV Park, Gardiner, Montana

After breaking camp at Madison, drive north to Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's hottest and most dynamic thermal area, and walk the Porcelain Basin and Back Basin boardwalk loops covering about 2.5 miles combined. Continue on to Mammoth Hot Springs to see the massive travertine terraces, walking both the Upper and Lower Terrace loops, and stop for lunch at a historic hotel overlooking the parade ground. In the afternoon, tackle the Bunsen Peak hike, a 4.2 mile round trip climbing about 1,300 feet to an 8,564 foot summit with panoramic views of the Gallatin Range, Mammoth, and Swan Lake Flats. The night is spent at a full-service campground in Gardiner, Montana, just north of the park entrance, with showers, laundry, and WiFi available.

  1. Madison Campgroundlodge

    Wake up at Madison Campground. Pack up and prepare for a northbound tour to Mammoth.

  2. +14.3 mi along the route

    Norris Geyser Basinactivity

    Yellowstone's hottest and most dynamic thermal area. Walk Porcelain Basin and Back Basin boardwalk loops, approximately 2.5 miles total.

  3. +21.1 mi along the route

    Mammoth Hot Springs TerracesDrive

    Massive travertine terraces built by hot spring mineral deposits. Walk Upper and Lower Terrace loops.

  4. +0.5 mi along the route

    Mammoth Hot Springs area diningmeal

    Lunch at a historic hotel with views of the parade ground.

  5. +5 mi along the route

    Bunsen Peak TrailheadDrive

    Trailhead for Bunsen Peak hike with panoramic Yellowstone views.

  6. +4.2 mi along the route

    Bunsen Peak SummitHike

    4.2-mile round trip to 8,564-foot summit. 1,300 feet elevation gain with sweeping views of the Gallatin Range, Mammoth, and Swan Lake Flats.

  7. +4.2 mi along the route

    Bunsen Peak TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead and drive to Gardiner for the night.

  8. +8.7 mi along the route

    Campground in Gardiner arealodge

    Full-service campground in Gardiner, Montana, just north of the park entrance. Sites for tents and RVs with showers, laundry, and WiFi.

The Yellowstone River winding through pine forests in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Dustin Commer on Unsplash

Day 4

Lamar Valley Wildlife Safari

  • 80.8 mi drive
  • 8 mi on foot
  • Night: Canyon Village Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Rise early for a dawn wildlife drive through Lamar Valley, often described as the Serengeti of North America, watching for bison herds, grizzlies, wolves, elk, and pronghorn. Continue to the Slough Creek Trailhead, reached via a gravel access road, for a 4 mile round trip hike through wildflower meadows along Slough Creek, a wildlife-rich corridor favored by elk and grizzlies with minimal elevation gain. Head west toward Tower Junction to see Tower Fall, a 132 foot waterfall plunging into the Yellowstone River canyon, reached by a short paved trail. Enjoy rustic lodge dining nearby with regional fare like BBQ ribs, bison chili, and cornbread, then continue to Canyon Village Campground for the night, a large campground with 273 sites, showers, laundry, and a camp store.

  1. Gardiner area campgroundlodge

    Early wake-up for wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley. Pack breakfast to go.

  2. +39.8 mi along the route

    Lamar Valleyactivity

    The Serengeti of North America. Drive slowly through the valley spotting bison herds, grizzlies, wolves, elk, and pronghorn at dawn.

  3. +7.5 mi along the route

    Slough Creek TrailheadDrive

    Trailhead for Slough Creek meadows hike. Gravel access road from Northeast Entrance Road.

  4. +4 mi along the route

    Slough Creek First MeadowHike

    4-mile round trip through wildflower meadows along Slough Creek. Minimal elevation gain, wildlife-rich corridor favored by elk and grizzlies.

  5. +4 mi along the route

    Slough Creek TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead and drive west toward Tower Junction.

  6. +11.2 mi along the route

    Tower Fallactivity

    132-foot waterfall plunging into the Yellowstone River canyon. Short paved trail to overlook.

  7. +3.1 mi along the route

    Roosevelt Lodge area diningmeal

    Rustic lodge dining with regional fare including BBQ ribs, bison chili, and cornbread.

  8. +19.3 mi along the route

    Canyon Village Campgroundlodge

    Large campground near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 273 sites with showers, laundry, and camp store.

Grand Prismatic Spring with its vibrant geothermal colors in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Meina Yin on Unsplash

Day 5

Canyon, Valley, and Lakeshore

  • 49.1 mi drive
  • 30.6 mi on foot
  • Night: Canyon Village Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Begin at Artist Point for the best morning light over the 308 foot Lower Falls and the vividly colored canyon walls. Walk part of the South Rim Trail, a 1 mile paved path with minimal elevation change leading to Uncle Tom's overlook. From there, drive south for a slow wildlife tour through Hayden Valley, watching for bison, grizzlies, elk, and waterfowl from the pullouts. Stop at Mud Volcano for a 0.75 mile boardwalk loop through acidic thermal features including Dragon's Mouth Spring and churning mud pots. Continue to Fishing Bridge, a historic bridge over the Yellowstone River outlet from Yellowstone Lake, with a visitor center featuring wildlife exhibits, before finishing at West Thumb Geyser Basin for a 0.75 mile boardwalk loop along the lakeshore where geysers and hot springs erupt into the lake. Return to Canyon Village Campground for a second night, with a relatively relaxed mix of easy walking and scenic driving.

  1. Canyon Village Campgroundlodge

    Wake up at Canyon Village Campground. Short drive to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

  2. +1.2 mi along the route

    Artist PointDrive

    Iconic viewpoint overlooking the 308-foot Lower Falls and the vivid yellow canyon walls. Best light is morning.

  3. +1 mi along the route

    South Rim TrailHike

    1-mile walk to Uncle Tom's overlook with canyon views. Paved path with minimal elevation change.

  4. +1 mi along the route

    Artist PointDrive

    Return to Artist Point parking and drive south to Hayden Valley.

  5. +8.7 mi along the route

    Hayden Valleyactivity

    Slow wildlife drive through vast river valley. Watch for bison herds, grizzlies, elk, and waterfowl from pullouts.

  6. +1.2 mi along the route

    Mud VolcanoHike

    0.75-mile boardwalk loop through acidic thermal features including Dragon's Mouth Spring and churning mud pots.

  7. +6.8 mi along the route

    Fishing Bridge Visitor Centeractivity

    Historic bridge over Yellowstone River outlet from Yellowstone Lake. Visitor center with wildlife exhibits. Watch for cutthroat trout.

  8. +20.5 mi along the route

    West Thumb Geyser BasinHike

    0.75-mile boardwalk loop along Yellowstone Lake shoreline with geysers and hot springs erupting into the lake.

  9. +39.1 mi along the route

    Canyon Village Campgroundlodge

    Return to Canyon Village Campground for the night. Relaxed day with easier walking and more scenic driving.

Quiet forest wetland surrounded by evergreen trees in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Harrison Hargrave on Unsplash

Day 6

Yellowstone Lake and South Gate

  • 61.2 mi drive
  • Night: Flagg Ranch Campground, Moran, Wyoming

Take one more dawn wildlife drive through Hayden Valley before heading to a historic hotel on Yellowstone Lake for an elegant lakeside breakfast with stunning views. At Bridge Bay Marina, board a 1 hour narrated boat tour exploring the largest high-elevation lake in North America. Revisit West Thumb Geyser Basin's lakeshore boardwalk before stopping at Grant Village for supplies and an afternoon rest at the visitor center, general store, and fuel station. Continue south to the quiet Lewis Lake Picnic Area along the South Entrance Road for a lakeside break, then finish the day at Flagg Ranch Campground in the Moran area, just south of Yellowstone within the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, with showers and laundry available.

  1. Canyon Village Campgroundlodge

    Wake up at Canyon Village. Pack up and head south to Yellowstone Lake for a relaxed scenic day.

  2. +8.7 mi along the route

    Hayden Valleyactivity

    Dawn wildlife drive through the valley. Bison herds, grizzlies, and elk are most active at first light.

  3. +17.4 mi along the route

    Lake Yellowstone area diningmeal

    Elegant lakeside breakfast at a historic hotel. Stunning views across Yellowstone Lake.

  4. +2.8 mi along the route

    Bridge Bay Marinaactivity

    Scenic boat tour of Yellowstone Lake. 1-hour narrated cruise exploring the largest high-elevation lake in North America.

  5. +14.9 mi along the route

    West Thumb Geyser Basinactivity

    Scenic 0.75-mile boardwalk loop along the lakeshore with thermal features erupting into the water.

  6. +2.5 mi along the route

    Grant Village areaDrive

    Lakeside village with visitor center, general store, and fuel. Stop for supplies and afternoon rest.

  7. +9.9 mi along the route

    Lewis Lake Picnic Areaactivity

    Quiet lakeside picnic area along the South Entrance Road. Prepare dinner or snacks by the water.

  8. +19.9 mi along the route

    Flagg Ranch Campgroundlodge

    Full-service campground in the Moran area, just south of Yellowstone in John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. Sites with showers and laundry.

Alpine lake reflecting mountains and pine forests in Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Austin Farrington on Unsplash

Day 7

Grand Teton Scenic Loop

  • 106 mi drive
  • Night: Flagg Ranch Campground, Moran, Wyoming

Spend the final full day exploring Grand Teton National Park before tomorrow's long drive home. Start at dawn at Oxbow Bend, where the Snake River bends beneath perfect mountain reflections and moose, otters, and waterfowl are often spotted. Enjoy breakfast with a view at a historic lodge overlooking Jackson Lake, then drive the scenic 5 mile paved road up Signal Mountain to its 7,720 foot summit for panoramic views of the mountains, Jackson Lake, and the Snake River valley. Continue on the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, a one-way loop with pullouts for photos and short shoreline walks, then visit the Mormon Row Historic District to see its iconic weathered barns. Wrap up the afternoon in downtown Jackson browsing shops and galleries, followed by an upscale dinner featuring steaks, trout, and Wyoming game. Return to Flagg Ranch Campground for the final night before the long drive back to Nebraska.

  1. Flagg Ranch Campgroundlodge

    Wake up at Flagg Ranch. Spend the day exploring Grand Teton National Park before the long drive home tomorrow.

  2. +19.9 mi along the route

    Oxbow Bendactivity

    Famous scenic turnout where the Snake River bends with perfect mountain reflections. Prime spot for moose, otters, and waterfowl at dawn.

  3. +1.9 mi along the route

    Jackson Lake Lodge area diningmeal

    Breakfast with a view at a historic lodge. Scenic views across the lake to the mountain range.

  4. +3.7 mi along the route

    Signal Mountain Summit RoadDrive

    Scenic 5-mile paved road winding up Signal Mountain to 7,720-foot summit. Panoramic views of the mountains, Jackson Lake, and Snake River valley.

  5. +11.2 mi along the route

    Jenny Lake Scenic DriveDrive

    One-way scenic loop around Jenny Lake with multiple pullouts for photos and short walks to the shoreline.

  6. +8.7 mi along the route

    Mormon Row Historic Districtactivity

    Historic homestead area with iconic weathered barns. Walk or drive the dirt road past multiple sites.

  7. +19.9 mi along the route

    Jackson Town areaactivity

    Historic downtown Jackson with distinctive features and a charming atmosphere. Browse shops, galleries, and grab coffee or ice cream.

  8. +0.1 mi along the route

    Jackson area diningmeal

    Upscale dining with regional cuisine. Excellent steaks, trout, and Wyoming game.

  9. +60.9 mi along the route

    Flagg Ranch Campgroundlodge

    Return to Flagg Ranch for the final night. Pack up for tomorrow's long drive home to Nebraska.

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Before you go

What this route assumes

Only the fields this route actually holds data for.

Where you sleep

Overnight areas in route order: Madison Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Yellowstone area RV Park, Gardiner, Montana, Canyon Village Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Flagg Ranch Campground, Moran, Wyoming. Xavier pairs each with live lodging options once the route is yours.

Vehicle

Built as a 4x4 suv route, mixed hiking, wildlife, and scenic drives. Xavier adapts it to what you actually drive.

Level

Paced for moderate travelers. Days can be split or merged to change the load.

How this Xpedition was built

Assembled from structured route and waypoint records, not written as an article, and reviewed before publication. Confirm conditions, closures, and permits before you travel.

  • Route structured
  • Distances calculated
  • Reviewed before publication
  • Published August 2026

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